Dark Flames . Amy Blankenship

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СКАЧАТЬ while… at least until he calmed down.

      “Glad all of you could make it,” Storm said once the doors were closed. “I’ve got good news and bad news.” He nodded toward the huge computerized map on the wall, “That’s the bad news.” There were several murmurs within the crowd.

      “What’s the good news?” Trevor frowned from the doorway as he entered the room.

      “The good news is that the most powerful demons are smart. They just made it back into this world and they’re not stupid so they’re not going to out themselves right away by going on killing sprees.

      In the past, the master demons liked to control humans… not kill them. They will set up shop first and try to claim a territory. My hope is that some of them will even kill each other in order to stake their claim on an area and it will narrow down the playing field.”

      “Are you saying they’re all going to stick around this area instead of scattering to other states?” someone near the window asked. “Why would they do that when it’d be smarter to get the hell out of Dodge?”

      “There is something that’s keeping them bound to this area,” Storm pointed at the map, “The area you see and about a hundred miles out in all directions.” he decided to change the subject.

      “More good news, the earthquake activity and the sudden oddities in the weather are forcing some of the humans to leave the area. I had to pull a couple strings but I arranged it for the press to announce that the series of quakes earlier tonight may be hinting at a larger earthquake… the ‘big one’ for lack of a better phrase.”

      “However, we all know this isn’t the case. We don’t want to attract too much attention to LA, but if we can get even ten percent of the human population to leave on their own, then it will make our jobs a lot easier. I’m also working on getting the weather modification technology to create a hurricane and keep it dangerously close to the coast for a while. That may drive even more people out of the city.”

      “Fear mongering at its best,” someone agreed.

      Storm nodded, “We need to attempt to keep as much of this out of the notice of the humans as possible. I’ll need all of you to watch out for anyone with a recorder; those of you able to do mind wipes will have to do double time as damage control. All 911 calls are also being monitored. And don’t let your guard down. It’s dangerous out there… we lost several PIT members last night.” He finished softly as he gazed at Guy.

      Guy kept his gaze locked with Storm’s daring him to try to put him on the sidelines with the excuse of appropriate grieving time. What he truly needed was revenge, and getting out there among the demons was the only way he was going to achieve that.

      Zachary leaned against the desk and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I was there… not everything that came out of the rift last night is evil.”

      Storm nodded, “Yes, quite possibly the only good thing to come out of this mess. When Misery opened the rift, she freed not only demons, she also succeeded in freeing a number of fallen and a few others who are, thankfully, on our side.”

      “Like who?” Trevor asked.

      “Like the ones who were protecting the seal from the other side of the rift.” A new voice said from the back of the room.

      Everyone turned in the direction of the voice. A young man who didn’t look a year over eighteen was leaning against the back wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His dark hair looked windblown and the way the light hit it at certain times gave it a purple hue. When he opened his eyes, colors were fading in and out resembling a glittering tourmaline stone causing many in the room to look away.

      “What are you?” Ren asked, puzzled that he couldn’t feel any power at all from the newbie.

      The young man smirked, “To the demons… I’m the boogey man.”

      “This is one of our allies from the other side.” Storm answered. “Kamui and his… brothers will be staying on the third floor.”

      “I thought the third floor was sealed off.” Trevor questioned. “How can they get up there?”

      The young man levitated off the floor by several feet and winked at the shapeshifter.

      “A kid who can fly… great,” Trevor shook his head dismissively, “that will be a lot of help.”

      Kamui smirked, “I’m older than the first of your kind. We weren’t thrown into that rift against our will… we went willingly, knowing exactly what we were getting into. And there were more demons on that side than there were here. We kept our side from being breeched… how’d you do?”

      Ren cocked an eyebrow deciding he liked this boy already. He had to cough into his hand to keep from laughing out loud at Trevor, though he shouldn’t have bothered because several others were laughing without sympathy.

      “Most of the demons have now scattered throughout the city and are hiding,” Zachary offered wanting to get the attention focused back on the meeting. “The ones who pose the most danger of being seen or attacking humans are the wraiths that were summoned.”

      “I hate those things,” Trevor growled unable to suppress the shiver. “They hurt like hell when they pass through you.”

      Zachary nodded, “They’re pretty much hanging out in every graveyard in the city and that’s a real danger to the humans. Hunter can kill them but only one at a time.” He paused in thought, “Actually, killing isn’t even the right word.”

      “I’d like to kick their asses, but I can’t freaking touch them,” Trevor complained.

      “You would be angry too if your rest was interrupted by a demon who wanted to bring you back only to be a servant.” A young woman with long silver hair stated. “They’re only expressing that anger… it’s not personal.”

      “Tiara,” Storm said her name for the people in the room who hadn’t had a chance to meet her yet. “I’m glad you have come, and I’m sorry about your mother.”

      “Thank you,” Tiara replied but her gaze was on Trevor. “You attract them because you have the lives of so many animals within you.” She stepped in front of him and pulled a dagger from her belt making Trevor flinch at the quick action. She smiled softly, “Here, you can use this to protect yourself from them.”

      “Will it kill them?” Trevor carefully took the dagger from her and held it up looking it over.

      “They are already dead.” Tiara said calmly as if talking to a child. “This is a tool used for releasing… not killing.”

      Trevor frowned but didn’t give the dagger back. He knew what those things were capable of and he would take all the help he could get. “Thanks,” he slid it into his belt and covered the hilt over with his shirt.

      “Tiara, are you sure you’re ready for this?” Storm asked not really wanting to put any pressure on her knowing this would be her first time. “Vampires and wraiths aren’t the only things out there… zombies are being sighted all over the place. That’s not including master demons and the things we don’t have a name for… we don’t know what else is out there.”

      “I’m ready,” Tiara answered СКАЧАТЬ